Developing a Servant’s Heart
If you are truly striving to serve God you must develop a servant’s heart. I think as a Christian we all want to be faithful servants. Remember what it says in Matthew 25:23.
“Well done good and faithful servant, you were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things, enter into the joy of your master.”
How do we develop a servant’s heart? Here are four ways to develop a servant’s heart.
1. Develop a volunteer spirit.
“Thy people will volunteer freely in the day of Thy day of Thy power.” Psalm 110:3
They will give of their time, resources, praise, money, expertise, etc. And notice the verse says – freely. You know it says in 2 Corinthians 9:7 “God loves a cheerful giver.”
When the Spirit is moving in a person’s life – that person will have a volunteer spirit. On the day of Pentecost you know what happened? Look at Acts 2:44-45
“And all those who had believed were together, and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions, and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.” They voluntarily gave all that they had – for the glory of God.
2. Have a determination to help.
It is not enough just to want to be a servant – you must be determined to be a servant, you must be determined to help.
Look at 2 Corinthians 8:1-4
“Now, brethren, we wish to make know to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality, For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability they gave of their own accord, begging us with much entreaty for the favor of participation in the support of the saints.”
This church had an awesome determination to help. Nothing was going to keep this church from helping. Even in their own poverty they were determined to help.
You know what I have found – there are 4 types of givers:
1. People who give because they can.
2. People who are able to give but don’t.
3. People who are unable to give but can’t.
4. People who are unable to give but do anyway.
If you want to develop a servant’s heart you must be determined to help.
3. Commit to follow-ship.
Everyone is following something.
Friends advice, pursuit of money, others opinions.
“Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.” Hebrews 13:7
To imitate is to follow. The first question to ask is: “Where are they going?” In other words - Is this person leading me to the right destination? Is there leading in keeping with the Word of God?
If the answer is yes then: the three principles of following need to be implemented.
1. Trust – (if they go left – you go left.)
2. Obedience – (I don’t want to – you are not following)
3. Risk – (If they go fast – you go fast.)
“Obey your leaders, and submit to them; for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not out of grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.” Hebrews 13:17
4. Start meeting the needs around you.
The minute you start meeting the needs around you – you become a servant.
Listen to Matthew 25.
31"When he finally arrives, blazing in beauty and all his angels with him, the Son of Man will take his place on his glorious throne. 32 Then all the nations will be arranged before him and he will sort the people out, much as a shepherd sorts out sheep and goats, 33 putting sheep to his right and goats to his left. 34 "Then the King will say to those on his right, ’Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what’s coming to you in this kingdom. It’s been ready for you since the world’s foundation. 35 And here’s why: I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was homeless and you gave me a room, 36 I was shivering and you gave me clothes, I was sick and you stopped to visit, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 "Then those ’sheep’ are going to say, ’Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? 38 And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?’ 39 40 Then the King will say, ’I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.’ 41 "Then he will turn to the ’goats,’ the ones on his left, and say, ’Get out, worthless goats! You’re good for nothing but the fires of hell. 42 And why? Because— I was hungry and you gave me no meal, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was homeless and you gave me no bed, I was shivering and you gave me no clothes, Sick and in prison, and you never visited.’ 44 "Then those ’goats’ are going to say, ’Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or homeless or shivering or sick or in prison and didn’t help?’ 45 "He will answer them, ’I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you failed to do one of these things to someone who was being overlooked or ignored, that was me—you failed to do it to me.’ 46 "Then those ’goats’ will be herded to their eternal doom, but the ’sheep’ to their eternal reward." Matthew 25:31-46 (MSG)
You want to find good workers – simple rule – find people who are already working. Good workers – work. Good servants – serve.
When coaches are trying to win a game they don’t look at who looks best in his uniform. The coach looks for the players who perform the best on the field.
Jesus does too: “Well done good and faithful servant, you were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things, enter into the joy of your master.”
